Page 59 of Deadly Don's Savage Vows

Lina’s brother glances at me and our eyes meet.

He freezes in shock, then runs to my side. “Bella.” He whispers, stroking my face. “You’re awake. Are you ok? What do you feel?”

“Please, make Lina come back.” I say with a dry, aching voice. I feel like I haven’t spoken in a year. My throat is so tight and sensitive.

“Make her come back.” I beg him.

I hardly know him. I don’t know what is going on. I want myfriend. I want someone familiar that I can trust.

“Bella - it’s me - Nico. I’m here for you.” He says, looking worried. He reaches out and rests his hand on my arm.

I shake my head, trying to put together a puzzle in my memory but I don’t have all the pieces.

“Where is my husband?” I ask, suddenly filled with fear because if Marcus comes in here and sees another man touching me, in any way, there will be hell to pay.

“Husband? Bella - you never married Marcus.” Nico says, his brows knotting.

“Why - why is Lina so angry - why did you say you love me?” I stammer, tears flowing again. I’m so confused and scared.

“Do you remember what happened?” He asks, taking my hand in his and stroking his thumb over my skin.

“I remember - Marcus - um - Lina was helping me get ready for our wedding.”

“Lina was helping - oh my word. Do you remember your son?” his voice is filled with concern.

“Son? I don’t - I don’t have a child.”

He turns towards the door and yells. “Nurse, get in here now.” Then he runs to the door and yanks it open, shouting again, demanding that a nurse comes to the room.

I shift, trying to sit up. My body is filled with pain. I feel as though a truck rain over me, then backed up and drove over me again just to be sure.

Looking around, I try to figure out where I am.

I’m in a bed, in someone’s home. It’s not a hospital. But there is hospital equipment around me as though someone has been taking care of me.

I have a drip in my arms and bandages all over my bruised body. My face aches. My head aches. Everything aches.

I try to force my mind to remember something - anything.

It’s all blank.

Nico runs back to my side, leaning over to help me sit up and rest my back against the headrest.

“Be careful, move slowly.” He whispers.

His touch is soothing. His presence is also soothing, but it’s so strange because I’ve only met him once or twice - in passing - when I was with Lina.

Why is he acting this way towards me?

Not one, but two nursesanda doctor run into the room.

Suddenly, the place is filled with activity. Nico steps away from me as they rush around me, taking my blood pressure, poking me, prodding me, asking me a string of questions, pressing a cold stethoscope beneath my top - it feels like ice on my skin.

What the fuck is going on?

I can’t answer any of their questions.

Are they lying to me? Is this some sick game?

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